Daniel Cormier’s rivalry with Jon Jones peaks at UFC 214

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA—Daniel Cormier recognizes the cosmic paradox at the bottom of his bitter rivalry with Jon Jones.

If anybody in the world could relate to the exact pressures and pitfalls faced by Jones over the past several years as a wildly successful mixed martial artist, Cormier would be that man.

Daniel Cormier lands a solid right to the face of Jon Jones during their fight at UFC 182 last January. AP FILE PHOTO

If any fighter could teach Jones about the perseverance and steadiness necessary to forge a successful career with something besides spectacular athletic talent, it would be the man standing across from Jones in the UFC 214 cage on Saturday night.

“If we weren’t what we are today, there are a lot of things that I could give to him, to help him be a better version of himself,” Cormier said with a rueful laugh.

Instead, Cormier and Jones are locked in one of the greatest rivalries in MMA history, one featuring street-clothes scuffles, epic trash-talking and a pointed animosity that can only grow out of familiarity.

More than 2 1/2 years after Jones beat Cormier to defend the light heavyweight title, Cormier is the champion heading into their rematch at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.